In a surprise announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Lotus announced that it will build an engine and an aero kit for the 2012 IndyCar series. In making this announcement, Lotus joins Honda and Chevrolet as engine suppliers for the 2012 season, which has new rules governing engines and chassis.

"It's been a good week," remarked IndyCar's Brian Barnhart, who's undoubtedly pleased to have Lotus join the series so soon after Chevrolet made its announcement.

Like the Honda and Chevrolet powerplants, the Lotus engine will be a 2.4-liter twin-turbo V-6, which, through control of boost (and possibly rpm), will produce in the neighborhood of 650 bhp for road courses and closer to 500 for ovals.

Barnhart says he thinks this will complete the list of IndyCar engine manufacturers for 2012, but doesn't rule out others coming in 2013. What's more, Barnhart said the reunification of open-wheel racing in the U.S. is what's driving this renewed manufacturer interest in IndyCar racing.

The Lotus engine will be developed by Cosworth, another iconic name in motorsports with a hugely successful track record. In the new IndyCar rules package, the engines will continue to be a stressed member of the chassis, and Barnhart said he could envision a reduction in displacement to 2.0 or 2.2 liters, if all manufacturers agree.

Although Lotus has had success at Indy, this marks the first time the company will run its own engine there. Jim Clark, for the record, won there in 1965, driving a Lotus 38-Ford. Finishing 2nd that day was Parnelli Jones, in another Lotus.

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus, said the U. S. is the company's biggest market, and that motorsport is the main support activity for Lotus sports cars. Moreover, he expects to see three or four Lotus engines (and Lotus aero kits) on the grid in 2012.

With all the new manufacturer involvement in 2012, with the great variety of engines and aero packages, it will be hard to criticize IndyCar as a spec series. Although I, for one, would like to see a manufacturer join the fray with a turbocharged 4-cylinder powerplant. Can anybody say Offy?